Electrode holder



Oct. 22, 1929. H. GRIFFITHS ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Dec 8, 1926 IRA 551v To I? ,1 rfogrzvcy Patented Oct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES HUGH GRIFFITHS, OI BUFFALO, NEW YORK nnno'rnonn 1101mm I Application filed December 8, 1926. Serial No. 158,388.

My invention relates in general to electrode holders, and more particularly to that type of holder which is designed especially for holding electrodes used in electric welding.

The princi al object of my invention has been to provi e a holder which shall be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which shall do away with the use of all bolts, hinged pivotal joints, helical springs, and the like, for clamping the electrode in place.

Another object has been to provide a holder light in weight, and so designed that it is efiiciently insulated against heat.

Another object has been to provide a holder having replaceable jaws made of a material which will be long-lived.

The above objects and advantages have been accomplished by the device shown in the accompanying drawings,'of which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, top view of a modified form of structure.

My device comprises two side members 5 and 6 which are made of thin resilient material so that they will be ur ed toward each other and so that radiation 0 heat therefrom will be rapid, thus keeping the device cool. The rear ends 7 and 8, respectively, of the side members are joined together and to a connecting tab 9 by welding orotherwise. The union of the ends 7 and 8 serves to provide a resilient effect in the handle, thus keeping theside members spaced apart. The tab is provided with the usual aperture 10 for the reception of a bolt (not shown) by which the usual lead connector may be secured to the device. The side members 5 and 6 are spaced apart, as shown, and provide handle portions 11 for the device. Sleeves 12, preferably of insulating material, may be dis osed over and suitably secured to these hand e portions, so

as to more thoroughly insulate the device against heat and electricity. The handle portions of the side members 5 and 6 ma be slightly curved as shown in Fig. 1, if desired, so as to more closely fit the circular shape of the sleeve 12.

In the forward end of the device is the clamp 13, comprising jaws 14 which are suitably secured to the forwardly extending ends 15 of the side members. The jaws 14' are preferably made of copper or bronze, which materials I have found from experience last longer than any other material. The copper or bronze does not so readily burn out as does other materials, and it may be used for holding not only metallic electrodes but carbon electrodes as well.

Immediately behind the portions 15 of the side members are two fulcrum portions 16 which are preferably spaced apart at a-considerably greater distance than the members 15. Arranged between the fulcrum portions 16' of the side members is the fulcrum spring 17 of my device. The ends 18 of thisspring lie parallel with the fulcrum portions 16 of the side members, and these ends are secured against the inner faces of the fulcrum portions preferably by welding. The central portion of the spring is formed in a loop, as shown in Fig. 1, and provides not only a fulcrum for the jaws 14 when they are opened and closed, but also may be made to/provide the spring. tension necessary to keep the jaws firmly in contact with one another or with the electrode being held.

The fulcrum portions 16 of the side members 5 and 6 are joined to the handle portions 11 preferably by outwardly curved portions 19. These portions serve to increase the radiating area of the material joining the fulcrum parts with the handle. Each of the jaws 14 of the device and the handle portion 11 which actuates it, is arranged on the same side of the device, thus doing away with pivotal connections and also providing a device of the necessary strength and rigidity with side members having minimum crosssectional areas throughout their lengths.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2 the fulcrum spring 20 is of slightl different design, and the portion of the si e members 5 and 6 which join the fulcrum portions 16 with the handle portions 11 are straight and are not curved as in the form shown in Fig. 1.

' When the device is to be used, the handle portions 11 are grasped by the hand of the operator, whoforces the handle portions toward each other. This action causes the jaws 14 to be opened, since the fulcrum spring 17 acts as a pivotal point for the side members. The force of the operators hand is, of course, exerted against the fulcrum spring 17, and the resistance oflered by the joined ends 7 and 8 of the side members. Considerable force is necessary to open the jaws, and when they are permitted to close upon the electrode, the same will be securely held in place. It will be seen that since only a grasp of the hand is necessary. to operate the device, electrodes may quickly be clamped by or released from the device.

If desired the jaws 14 may be formed with registering V-shaped grooves 21 for more securely holding the electrodes in position.

Obviously, some modifications of the details herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the exact embodiment herein shown and described, the form shown being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An electrode holder comprising two interspaced side members, the side members bein secured together at their rear ends, handle portions formed from the members at the rear thereof, separate, electrode-holding jaws secured-at the forwardend of the members, and fulcrum means arranged between the members and located behind the aws.

2. An electrode holder comprising two interspaced side members, handle portions formed from the members at the rear thereof, the rear ends of the side members being joined together and provided with an integral connector tab, separate, electrode-holding jaws secured at the forward end of the members, and fulcrum means arranged between the members and located behind the jaws.

3. An electrode holder comprising two interspaced side members, the side members being of resilient material and secured together at their rear ends, handle portions formed from the members at the rear thereof, separate, electrode holding jaws secured at the forward end of the members, and fulcrum means arran ed between the members and located behin the jaws.

4. An electrode holder comprising two interspaced side members, the side members being of resilient material and secured together at their rear ends, handle portions formed from the members at the rear thereof, separate, electrode holding jaws secured at the forward end of the members, and spring fulcrum means arranged between the members and located behind the jaws.

5. An electrode holder comprising two interspaced side members of resilient material, the side members being resiliently connected at two points in their length, a fulcrum at one of the points, and separate jaws arranged at the forward end of the members and in front of one of the resiliently connected points.

6. An electrode holder comprising two interspaced side members of resilient-material, the side members being resiliently connected at two points in their length, each member being formed with an outwardly curved portion arranged between the connected points and adjacent the forward ends of the members, a fulcrum at one of the points, and separate jaws arranged at the forward end of the members and in front of one of the resiliently connected points.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name.

HUGH GRIFFITHS. 

